Erdogan: US Has Failed to Expel Kurdish YPG From Syrian City of Manbij

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the US of having failed to comply with a deal negotiated between the two nations back in June. The deal was meant resolve Turkish threats to attack the Syrian city of Manbij.

Turkey has been condemning the US for years for supporting the Kurdish YPG, who they consider terrorists, and had threatened to attack Manbij to kick the Kurds out, even if it meant they’d end up fighting US troops.

Manbij was captured by US and Kurdish forces from ISIS control. Turkey objected, saying that the Kurds aren’t allowed west of the Euphrates River, and Manbij is on the western shore. Manbij is historically an Arab-dominated city, but was under the Kurdish regional government’s control since the takeover.

7 thoughts on “Erdogan: US Has Failed to Expel Kurdish YPG From Syrian City of Manbij”

“Under the deal, Turkish forces would be allowed into Manbij” – There has never been any such deal.

“and the US would expel Kurdish forces from the city” – the YPG withdrew in 2016. Nobody is “expelling” anybody.

“Manbij was captured by US and Kurdish forces” – Manbij was liberated by the SDF, a Syrian force backed by the international coalition.

“Turkey objected, saying that the Kurds aren’t allowed west of the Euphrates River” – Kurds have lived west of the Euphrates river for 1000+ years.

“Manbij is historically an Arab-dominated city, but was under the Kurdish regional government’s control since the takeover.” – Manbij is governed by the Manbij Civic Council. The Kurdish Regional Government is in IRAQ, a completely different country.

“Manbij was liberated by the SDF, a Syrian force backed by the international coalition.”

SDF is a predominately Kurdish force, which the US proudly declares in other regions. Its non-Kurd elements are some very questionable Sunni-jihadi elements closely connected to al Qaeda.

““Turkey objected, saying that the Kurds aren’t allowed west of the Euphrates River” – Kurds have lived west of the Euphrates river for 1000+ years.”

Turkey made this objection loudly and clearly from Day One of the Kurdish forces crossing the River. That area had previously had a Kurdish minority, but was not governed by Kurds nor controlled by Kurdish forces.

Turkey tells people where they can live inside Syria? I thought Erdogan governed Turkey is he Syria’s new president? And didn’t he want Assad removed from power? So why is Russia selling Assad’s enemy Erdogan a more advanced missile defense system than it’s ally is getting delivered? Is Russia playing both sides in this conflict?

You ar missing the point. Erdogan is telling Kurds to stop ETHNIC CLEANSING, and return all Kurd occupued land, townships and villages back to their “rightfull owners”. That is, its Arab population. He is not saying to return them to Syrian Army, but to allow population to return, and to decide on their own their political future. But — they are not allowed. Since Kurds already appropriated so many homes, specially from wealthy Arabs that had to flee — one can see how attractive is to Kurds to stay put for as long as possible. Their interests and Israeli interests coincide — the longer the chaos reigns in the region, the better their prospects for more land grab and population displacement. But the events are working against them. Not even Saudi Arabia is on board any more. Regional chaos is negativelly affecting their economy, and money is no longer flowing i to ideological infrastructure of Islamic cults, be that ISIS or other Salafi indoctrinated groups. Money. It fueled extremism, and can extinguish it as well. As it happened in Chechnya, for example. For Saudi Arabia it was convenient that it was sole guilty party pointed to as the source of ISIS. By clamping down on Wahabi extremist (the very ones it formerly funded), it can now cut the funding — and look angelic. But all that is happening — as Israel snd US know — is Saudis gradual withdrawal from US geopolitical agenda. And Yemen war would have ended ages ago, had it not been for US pushing for its continuation, pitting UAE against Saudi Arabia to make the territory grab mire competitive. The goal is the control of Bab Al-Mandeb. The Straits of Sorrows. How apt.

You are spinning — big time. Yes, ghere was a deal. In fact, even begore the deal, still during Obama administration, Biden, on a visit to Turkey said on Thrkish TV that Kurds should withdraw from Manbij, as US will not support them,

Your spin is a classic. “Manbij Civil Council” is a body created by occupiers, Kurds with US military backing. Local leaders, thise that did not flee, were dragged to TV to announce “brotherly loyalty” to Kurds. Without US Kurds could not control Manbij, nor Raqqa, Euphrates valley — not to mention the far flung Deir Azzor patches. Here us the truth you are muddying: Kurds may luve everywhere, including Europe. But in ALL PLACES WITH THE EXCEPTION IF AFRIN AND NARROW KOBANE REGION, THEY ARE MINORITY. In mist cases A TINY MINORITY. We are talking 2-5% minority. ISIS was nothing more then a hit and run placeholder allowing for “heroic” anti-ISIS US supported YPG to “liberate” them. In nearly all cases licals were forced to cooperate. How many Arabs were ethnically cleansed from all Kurd-US occupied areas? And how do you think they will continue occupying vast numbers of Arabs by a tiny Kurd population? US will then have to stay and permanently defend them, allowing on an Israeli principle to expand Kurdish population at the expense of “real owners”, as Turkey calls them. While there was nobody to stop that ethnic cleansing, Turkey will definitely stop this one. It has its own interests in mind. Allowing Kurds to control region from Turkish border, along Euphrates valley would effectivelly cut off Turkey and Syria from Iraq, and beyond. It will be the permanent checkpoint against regional development, transportation and trade. Such an entity creation in whatever shape and form — Turkey will not allow. Turkey is a transit hub to Europe, and cannot be cut off from the Middle East by US creating yet another Israel. The reality is — neither Iraq, Iran or even Saudi Arabia and the rest of Gulf support this Kurdish toll booth.

Also, YPG is a subsidiary of Turkish PKK, and was the principal smuggling entity if arms to Islamic terrorists in Idlib, Aleppo and beyond. Now that Turkey has sealed off Afrin, they cannot do it any more. Kurds tried to capture Al-Bab — a real strategic place en route to link Kobane to Afrin, but Turkey and Russia preemptied that. Manbij bulge remained.

US is not taking seriously the changed mood of the region. And Kurds will be collateral damage in the process. Turkey wil talk big when it comes to Manbij. But you better believe that any military action will occur along the north east Turkish border, to restore Arab townships and villages to Arab control, threatening Kurds in Kobane. As this is their only majority territory accross Euphrates, Kurds will have to decide: keep fighters guarding Manbij, Raqa, and all points West, or rush back to defend homes? Or are they counting on US to confront Turkish army restoring Arab communities on its border? Remains to be seen.

As for Kurdish Wikipedia activism —it is hilarious. There are all kinds of “updates” posted to reflect suddenly increased population figures. And before anyone falls for propaganda how Assad harmed them, let us recall French colonial period that favored Kurds in all jobs of running the colony. Kurds are in danger of proving once again that they will use whatever foreign occupying force to advance their interest. While most Kurds have no say in what YPG does, they will unforthnately be the victims of the anymosity today felt by other inhabitants of Syria — be they Sunni, Shia or Christian.